Friction draft gear



Oct. 4, 1927.

* w. A. MITCHELL' FRIGTION DRAFT GEAR Filed' JuneA v. 1925 4 Sheets- Sheet l Oct. 4, 19.27.

W. A.- MITCHELL l FRICTION DRAFT GEAR Filed'June v`. 1925 4 sheets-sheet s Oct. 4, 1927.

w. A. MITCHELL -FRICTION DRAFT GEAR Filed June 7. 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Uct. 4,' 1927.`

i; Yi :t sl i vvi/'Ir-.Liiiiiil A. MITCHELL, .or nniirsoir, (TEX-As y y. -,l1,644,3.ii1l

Fiiro'rioit DRAFT Jenna.

l Application iledfJune 7,

My invention relates'to draft appliances for railwaycars vandmoreparticularly to a 'friction 'draft gear in which the 4cooperating -rparts are constructed and arranged to abtion is to .provide a frictiony draft gear including in combination'cooperating casings l one of which is formed with a centrally-locatedv extension Ahaving friction surfaces, movable friction 'shoes having portions V adapted to .Contact said friction surfaces1 said frictionshoes being movable about their respective ful-crums arranged in the other of said casings )and -at ypointsv preferably vnear v'the outer. edges thereof, and cushioning means interposed between the cooperating casings, one end'of vsaid cushioning means being operably associated with the respective friction shoes for causing the portions thereof which 'grip the friction surfaces Yon vthe lcentrallylocated extension to progressively increase .the frictional contact between the said shoes-and said extension when'the casvings are moved'in effect'toward each other.

Another objectv of the invention is to provide a. friction draft gear in which the draft .and buii'ing strains are transmitted throughV vcoacting l`longitudinally fmovable follower Y members, one of which is formed with a centrally located and longitudinally disposed vfriction'tongue andthe other of which is :provided with bearingportions adapted to receive the ffulcrum ends of rocking friction 'members, saidfriction menibers'having portions adapted to contact opposite sides ofthe centrally located friction tongue and being adapted tobe engaged by one end of the cushioning` spring between thelfulcrum point and the `portion engaging said' friction tongue of each friction member.

A further` object of theiiivention' resides in the provision of a railway draft'rigging including a friction draft gear composed of i follower membersin the nature of casings, oneof which Vcasings is formed with an axially arranged extension having a plurality of friction surfaces, inovable'friction mem- 5" bers fulcrumed in the otherof said casingsr and beingV provided with portions adapted to engage Vthe respective friction surfaces on the axial extension, .cushioning means `ar-v ranged between the casings7 and a supple- 'm mental cushioning means carried by lone of the casingsrand being operable by the move-L 192s. seriaiiio. 643,895. f

ment of the said axial extension'- provided on vthe other of said Acasingsafterajpredeterf Y mined movement of thef ir'stl named cushioning means. l n The 'inventioii'has for a 'still i'further feb-- ject the provisioii-ofra frictiondraftgeary ating with said memberyandwedgingfnieaiis including an, axially disposed friction'- mem ber, f' friction shoes having jportions cooperin the nature of a -surroundingfrnember f adapted to "frictionally Contact 'said ffrictionl f shoes, v and cushioning means operable ibe- Ctween said `wedging 'ineans'fandfone-of,the v casings whereby on either 'buffv or f draft f the wedge means isv caused to force the frictionv v shoes into y'engagement with Ithe axiallyd is-v f posed friction member'a'nd preg gressiyelyiin-` l crease the fricti'onalresistanceolferedbylthe Vifear: "i

'The' invention further consists infthefcombination, construction .and arrangement @of Vthe several parts hereinafter .described and pointed out in lthe claims. v

in iii@ drawings 'in Whieh :i hiwiiius:

l trated severaly embodiments of my invention las @applicable-'to b'oth draft f gears andx buft'ing `gears Figure l'is'ra longitudinal-'sectional view through iiiy-improveddnaft gear; u Figure 2 is a"transversesectionalviewron the'line 242 of yFigure il. I y f form r`0f"my im.- c

:Figure a modie'd proved draft- -gear v1in 'which rthe friction shoes are ful-'crumed at points` outsidev vof'itlie,

draft' sills and i preferably against d a 'member ext-ending transversely between rthe draft sills-fand projecting beyondithe outer facesthereof. v 'I Figuren is a sectional iviewillustrating another modified arrangement ofm'y inven- "tion vin which 'cooperating Vcasingsz-'areutijli'zed'iand'za single spring employed :for'actui v Y .ating the rocking jfrictionsh'oes. *Y

Figure 5 is a transversevsectionalviewion theline-of Figuref.-

ioo

Figure 6 isl a similar viewon'thelinef-- of Figure 4:.'

Figure '7 is "a detached one of thel rocking 'friction' meiiibers'orshoes. Figure-8 is .la plan view of'` stillfanother i ew' in elevationfnf.

modified forni of vthe 'invention 'shown `in position vin a railway draft rigging,-y 'cylindrical casings being utilizedandawedging means employed'to cause lthe friction l'shoes to rockfintof'rictional enga-gement with an axially/extending friction"iiien'iber. Y n

Y Y tion lof thewedging ring.

is', ajlongitudinal'sectional view y.thro'uglfi the draft gear shovvn in Figure 8. K Figure'lO isa ytransverse sectional vievv Y -on the-line 10i-10y of Figure Qviewed in the` Y K direction'ofthearrows. v

*'Figrel'l is a detachedivievv-in endeleval fF ,'guresV 12 and 13 are-side and' end elevai vp-vtigns Qofone of the, rocking .friction shoes; y

vV f FigureV 14 is alongitudinal sectional view"V Y fillustratingymyg improved arrangement ,of-

*.*coo'perating easings `and friction vmembers [Figur-e215 Lisvav transverse vsectional View njthejlinejle-l of Figure 14 viewed in he direction of the arrovvs.- f. V 1

hendirection ofthe arrows.

' Referr'ngvto VIthe Vdrawings in which simi- {1ar; referenceg characters ldesignate corre- .spendingA parts in" the ,l several views, and vrmorefespecially to one of my preferred arrangement-sof.draft gear as shown in Fig- 'g ureswl andQ, the-cooperating casings 1'1 and Yvso'fareshown'of-rectangular'formation casitable'arrangement of cushioning. means J Vpable Vofuse as the respective front' and rear 'follower members ofthe draft rigging, a

involvingan outerfh'eavy VVspring' and an inner lighter spring, being employed; 4One ofi the casings, referred to hereinas the frontffoll'ower member,fis provided Wit-h a centrallylocatedand longitudinally disposed l extension 3f, said extension serving todivide the casing into tivo compartments and beingV :formedy Vupon opposite sides thereof Lwith friction surfaces shown herein as vslightly. curved and extending across substantially:

v."*fthe fullvvidth orV height of the casing. The

"extension Sprovides a' rearwardly projecting frictiontoiigue sufficiently long to enter the compartment `provided inV the cooperat-r ingcasing 'or rear follower i?, The4V :followerfor` casino'Q' is formed with a 3lu- 50-`:ra 1ity ofir bearing portions,rsaid bearing por- T" tions beingrshownfherein in the nature of i depressions or VVVcurved. seatsr l located adja-V shown'. in Figure f1.

f areprovidedV lwith fulcrum projections 6 adapted toIfit Within the depressions or seats 4, saidfrfriction kshoes being Vmounted, for

v.psvvinging ,movement about their` fulcrum i wf-:projections 'toward and away from the. central :eXtension'orl friction tongue 3. The

. centjtheouter edges of the casing, as. best The `movable friction members or,A shoes 5 {fiilcrum projection ,6 .extends substantially across the full Width orheightfofi the casing andV providesntogether-jvith its cooperating u bearing vportion 4, `an easily Vtmanufactured [as applied toga bufing `'gear' suchv as is' used .-,on passengercars for example. l5.

Figure 16is aftransversesectional, on-.the yline ,16A- V16 off Figurev 14, viewed inv 'FiguresIZand 1 8 areend and side eleva-i 11110115, 'respec'tively,of' one of the friction follower member 1.

and readily assembled pivotalyconnection capabley of permitting relatively uniform andsimultaneous movement of the'respec-Y tive friction shoes- W'henengagingtlie friction tongue. "Relatively flatportions? are provided adjacent. the fulcrum projections f on each friction shoe, said' fiat yportions serving to `contact vviththe inner surfaces of .the Wall of thecasing surrounding that `portionof thecompartinent thereof in Which the friction shoes are mounted. VrEach fric- .tion shoe isfvprovided With a. longitudinally idisposed'portion 8 suitably Ycurved tofcon-` form to the adjacentvcoacting friction sur` face provided on the friction tongue. vThe' opposite surface ofthe friction shoe lmay also Vbe curved to provide" a semi-cylindrical recess adapted to receive a portion of-the;

cushioning spring. The l,tongue V engaging portion of eachfriction shoe is preferably?.

connected to theV main body po'rtion'or end,`r

The. cushioning means shown in Figures 1 and'?J comprises an outer relatively heavy `spring 11 andran inner lighter spring 12. One endkof each spring is adaptedvto seat againstthe end Wall or body portion 9 ofthe frictionshoe, the forte exerted yby said spring beingsubstantially concentrated at points in the friction shoe lbetyveenits fulreceivi `cruml point andthat portion extending longitudinally of the lgear and` contacting the friction tongue. Y spring bears against the casing vor front Upon kmovement of the respective casings or follower members toward each other, the

loads imparted are transmitted through' the cushioning springs tothe friction shoes Awhereupon they are-caused -to rock about The opposite lendfof each theirrespective fulcrum points and cause the portions Sthereof to frictionally engage the tongue 3 upon each side thereof, ,said

frictioiial engagement being progressively increasedV as they respectiijie` casings continue Vto move in Aeffect toward each other.

I have 'shown in this form hollow types of casings shapedmto provide a rectangular gear, it Will be understood that other shapes' andk constructions offra-sings may vbe employed. When assembled' in a draft rigging it will beobvious `that on a relative movement of eithery follower member the respective friction shoes are rocked on their While i bearings and' gradually forced against the 713,0"

liessen Y l l 7a3 "longitudinally"extending tongue `vvith increasing vpressure as "theprogressive movement ofthefollower member continues,

Aln Figure "3 the, modifiedarrangement of coasting frictiontongue land lrocking lfriction shoes is accomplished `Witlioi-'it'theutili @their fulcruin `)ointsand brinel the lon'O'i- 'tudinally .extending `friction portions `into contact with the lcoacting friction y'tongue vin the same manner as that heretofore described.

The modified arrangement o'f my improved 'friction ldraftV gear shown in: Figures 4to '7, inclusive, embodies thesainergeneral coopera-tion v'between the rocking "frictionr shoes and the centrally disposedfriction.

tongue. The above arrangement of cushioning ineausls, however, associated With fthe several parts, as is also a supplemental spring adapted to be operatedthrough the 'friction tongueizafter a predetermined movecment of the usual cushioning'spring. yln Vthis modified iformpthe front follo-'Wer or casing is provided .with a laterally extend? ing friction member 18 located centrally of Y the follower and provided vrWitlia plurality of friction surfaces providing in cross section a polygonal friction member best shown in Figure 5. The coactingffriction `shoes "i9 are'fulciiiin'ied at 20 rWithin suitable bean.

ings! provided in. the rear fol-lower or casing, said'fricti'on shoesbeingprovided with lon` gitudinally rdisposed portions having their friction surfaces shaped to conforin'tofthe polygonal arrangement of friction sur-faces formed on the extension 18. A `single Aspring 2l of relativelyheavy capacity isinterposed bet-Ween the jfroiit follower and `suitable shoulders forined on tlie'friction shoes, said springbeing operable against each friction shoe betweenits' fulcruin point and the friction surface adapted to contactits adjacent 'friction surface onl the` extension 18. A suitableseating collar 22 having a rounded surface 23 may be interp-oserbbetween the'l cushioning spring and the wshouldered p0rtions of the respectivefriction shoes,as best shown in Figure 4.

The supplemental cushioning ineanslprovided in the modified arrangement just described comprises an outerspring 24 of4 heavy `capacity and an inner spring 25 of relatively lighter capacity, said springs vbeing encased' Within the rear follow-er `mein` bei' an'd'beinor "ada )ted "toouerate `between b l .L

' spring-'21..` n inaylbe provided With'aprojectionlBOaround *onevvall o'fsaiid follovverfmemberfand,1a' v `follower 27 yrelatively movable-:Within f the Isaid rear follower. 'The'folfloiver-Q' is pre- "ferably 'polygonal inV shape, the respective -sides thereof being adapted ito 'be yreceived Vinto af'coinpartment 28 having similarly shapedsides. VFormedon tlfie'folloivei Q7 -is a. 'forwardly projecting extension 29, the re' spectiv-e sides thereof 'constituting 'friction surfaces of ai'contourcorresponding toftlie 'f polygonal shape ofthe extension 18; The

v'extension 29, and more especially thefrictionA surfaces thereon@ area'dapted to be ienlgaged byv thef longitudinal f friction surfaces tending rfiiction vmember '-29 is normally spaced from the rear end of thefrictionextension '18, lsaid -space being predetermined aecordingtovthe Acapacity of the cushioning vThe l'rear 'face' of `the follow-H245' ivhiehfitsone end of thelighter spring 25. 'fn f operation vthe i supplemental `.cushioning `springs are `compressed after `a `predetermined nio-vement of the-cushioning spring* 2l,A said compression occurring upon `the contacting of the frearf'end .ffthe extension 18 and the forward end of the extension 29. Vluringthis oper-ation theffriction shoes eai'e rocked cnf their bearings and forcedagainst the friction faces of theexteiisions .18 and '29 `with increasing pressure as the'progresvsive movement ofthe respective follower iiieinber continues. i f 'n FiguresS to`13, inclusive, 'I have'shown l ian-arrangement of "friction dra-ft vgears in rwhich vcylindrical casings 3l' and "32y are utilized, said fcas'ings :be-ing shown as appl-ied-to afdraft riggingwvhch latter involves v `the usualmoenterlsills '83, yoke member '34,

Coupler 35 and back stop 36; ln v'this forni ofI construction which is best illustrated Y in `Figurei-9, there is provided an'axially eX- tending friction member y137 having f formed thereonoppositely disposed ycufved frictionrsurfaces 88. Cooperating with said friction surfaces is a plurality of friction shoes '39,said friction shoes being suitably fulv`crumedin bearing portions fl() provided in the casing32 and havinga curved friction engaging portion Llcorresponding in contour to vthe -curved'friction surfaces 38 formed on the aXial lextension V37.' Each friction'A shoe is provided With a downwardly adapt-ed to' coactl With Aa friction Wedging surface'l provided on -a Wedging ring member 4e. v The ring member 4A is adapted to surround the respective friction shoes and 125 upon relative movement of either casing 3l or 32Itlie yinclined 'ivedging surfaces 43 of said ring member are caused to bear against the respective friction surfacesiilQ tofI the frictionf'slioes andj inovel the {saineiaboutl-their The forwardly exff inclined and i"forwardly extending 'friction 20 surface 42,* said friction surface being frfu'lcrums' Vagainstgthe" friction surfaces on I.. i the axial ei'iteifision,` During this movement Ythe frictional'grip orvvpressure is increased as `the -progressivefmovement ofthe respec-l ...tive.followermembercontinues, and at theY saine time jfrictional resistance is effectively established between (the, wedging surface onV @the ring44 andthe adjacent coacting friction surfaces `onjthe shoes 39. A relatively` :fio

' terposedbetween .thewedging1riiig44 and heavy capacity cushioning spring 45 is. n-

I. the-end wallfofthe'casin'g'3L-.the force of said. spring beingtransmittedthrough ther said wedging means to v the friction Vshoes at bpoints between the fulcrums of said shoes v Vand the portions thereof contacting the axial V,eXtensionBT V f ,Y

. In this arrangementvI'have shown the supy-plemental spring 46t operably interposed be- ?tween the end wall 47 of the1casing32 Vand a'movable follower 48 positionedfor relative movement within 'a suitable,con'ipartment provided. in said causing.` lProjecting from ftheforward end ofthe follower is anexvtension 49,-said extension being of `across sectionalshapewhich will receive thering x-member 44 when the respective casings,v are lcaused inkeffect to move toward eachk other.

disposed slots 50 capable of vreceiving the ofrocking friction shoes and-coacting wedge ,Y 'f ing surfaces in whichVV a vcompara-tively smooth gripping and releasing.' action oc- Vlarly `designedfor use as a bufling gear onV .curs.A Economyof manufacture and. ease in assembly vare also particular advantages of the constructionV shown inFigures 8to 13,

inclusive.y f

An. arrangement :of i my invention particupassenger railway carsis` shown in' Figures vl4fto 18, inclusive. HThe saine arrangement 0f cooperating casings 52 andr53 is utilized, i a? centrallylylocated .and` longitudinally disposed `friction tongue 54 being designed to i xeoperate with'rocking" friction members or .shoes 55, the latterbeingsuit'ably fulcrumed near theo'uter edgesofthe casing 53.. Twin Vsprings l 56 `are interposed between. the krel fspective friction shoes andthe casing 52, lthe l. Vrelative movementgof at least oneV kof Ysaid Vca'sings causing the friction shoesfto rock` fr and bring their friction engagingV portion `tion with cooperating follower members, one

into contact with v,the friction tongue 54.

[Thelincreasiiig force with whichthese friction yslioesjare moved against the Vfrictien tongue produces corresponding increase yin 1 .pressure and frictional'rgrip as the progressive movementof the follower member' continues;v VIn'this arrangement of buifing gear fa supplementalspring V57' may be utilized,

y:said spring'fbeing actuated through tlie'fol-Y caused to .come into. contact'with the end of lower 58 when the rextension 59 thereof is*` thev friction tongue 54. This latter'V move- The twin lsprings arrangement in .the bu-Hv ing gear is similar tothe twin spring conment occurs aftera predetermined compres- Vs ion of the `twinspriig 56..y n70 struction shown in the draft gear illustrated in Figure 4l, it being obvious that iii-said kdraft gear construction` a. "suppleiiientalr:

spring ican be readily interposed Ywithin' the rear follower. or casing 2 for subsequent the springs 11 and 12. vVarious other modiaction' after a predetermined compression of and I do not wish to beunderstood as limiting theV same 'to the several forms shown herein butvreserve the right4 toL make suoli my invention as set--y claims. Y

I claim: 'Y Y l. In a friction draft gear, the combina'-Y Y tion withjcooperating follower members, one

of saidmembers being provided with a cen.v ,v tral longitudinally disposed yfriction tongue, a plurality c,of friction members each having tonguey and anothery portion forming. a` fulcrumjoii the other of said follower memchanges as will not depart from the scope of"v l forth in the followingy fa portion adapted'ito'` contact said friction bers with a fiXedaXis, and cushioning means Vincluding a springl one end of whicliis arranged Vto Contact Vthe first mentioned follower member, tlieotlien end vof which is f adapted lto engage atleast one of the said yfriction members between the fulcrumed p `poitionthereof and the portion engaging the' friction tongue.V

2. VIn a friction draft gear, the combina tion with: cooperating follower members, one of. said members having an axially disposed extension provided with friction surfaces, a

:plurality of friction shoes each of'which is provided with a portion adapted to coact 1 adapted to vreceive fulcrume'd portions of the friction shoes, and spring means interposed each of the friction shoes, the engagement of said spring means and the friction lshoes A being arranged between the fulcrum 'point andthe friction portion of said shoes.

3; In a friction draft'gear, the combinaof said members being provided with an axioo f iis .betweenone of said follower 'members and Y Aially disposed extension having opposite friction surfaces, Yfriction shoes each having a portion adapted to4 engage the friction sur-l faces of Vsaid extension and being Vformed ing inthe other of said follower members,"

i ings adaptedto formfollowers, a centrally.

and vmeans including? a spring arranged to ti'ansmit'theiloads imparted to 'thel gear, saidV spring :acting to 'move the-friction shoes up'` on theirr fulcriims for bringing said shoes` sides-` intov frictiona-l contactk with opposite' ofthe axial:v extension:

4; In a lfrictiondraft gear,l thecombina l tion with'a'casingprovidedwith a central; ly arranged portion providing an axially-` disposed friction member, friction 'shoes` adapted to cooperate with lsaid frictionimam,r` ber, .each of saidfrictionshoes-'having a-pore" tionadapted'to vengageons sideof said friction member, and? another? portion adapted. to Avprovide afulcrum, anothery casing hav-ing portions adapted to form Afixed bearings for the fulcrumportion ofltlie friction shoes, and i cushioning mea-ns interposed-between v theV friction shoes and onev end ofithe firstlnamed casing. j

5. The combination with cooperating 'casdisposed friction member vcarried lby one `of said Casing-sandextending into the other,

friction shoes l having portions adapted to contact said friction member, said frictiony shoes having fulcium portions adaptedto have their bearingsfixed in one .of said cas` ings, and "ciishioning 'meansengaging 'one' of said casings, the'ot-her' endofi said cushion.n

ing n'ieans being arra--iiged `Lto engage-the friotion shoes between the fulcrum-.point and the portions -thereofi contacting *thek centrally;

disposed f friction member. i

6.1 The combination. with fa casing. pro` vided with vaV centrallyvarranged :longitudinal extension forming aifriction `member.a frictionA shoe arranged iupon; each side of..y said member'V and having a portion adapted to contacti the sanie,.fulcrum means including; projections formedon each of' said friction.

" shoes, another'y casingi havingr portions adapted to provide iixed bearings for they fiilcrum projections,A and cushioning; means including-a spring interposed lbetween said casings, one end of said spring being adapted to react against at least one of the friction shoes between its fulcrum and the portion thereof engaging the centrally disposed fric-` tween said casings and operatively engagingl said friction shoes for progressively increasing the friction grip of the shoes upon the centrally located friction member when the casings are moved toward each other.

8.` The combination with cooperating casings, one of which is formed-with .a central-ly: i locatedV friction member and the'r other'of which is provided with a plurality of'y bearJ-fi ing portions, said bearing portions.beingv located 'in spacedrelation from saidfriction member carried by the other ofithe:` casings,i, friction shoesl having portions adaptedra.-to.;t frictionally engage'the centrally .-locatedz friction 'member'and being,l providednvvfithf.

other-` portions Aforming vfulcriims :adapted: toi;

be` received in theaforesaid bearinglporee. tions provided in one oft the 'casings'. ..for.: purely pivotal motiomandfmeans yielding-f -k i lyviinterposed between' said casings, a'poru: tion of said y-ie-ldable means, being varranged'.

to Contact seachfrietion shoe betweenits?` fulcrum point yand the -portion'f-ofl saidshoe engaging the centrally. located friction member f whereby the relative approaching moveg nient of either casing actsf't'o compress i, salidaY "3 yieldable means and roc'lrftherfriction' shoes. into progressively increasing frictiona'l' coneL tact with the centrally'located frictioirmemel bei.

' 9. In a friction draft` gear,.the; 'y

tion .with a. casing having an* axially'fdisa'#l posedV member 'provided with. frictioni .'siirI-f`V faces, another casing adapted .to coact* with,- said iirst'named casing, friction shoeshavingf portions fulcruined about constant .axesr` in:

said second named casing. andi being v:pro-V 5 vided with other' portions adapted vto i fric-f tionally engage the vsurfaces. of the'axiallynv disposed member, means includingffa mein-r ber adapted to surroundv theY axiallyI dis-.2. j posed member and f arranged. .to afriction'a'lly.

contact portions ofthe said frictionA shoes;

and means includinggafspring interposed be:4

tween said last'namedmembervaiidithe first named casingv whereby. upon: movementfofi the casings in effectztowardfeachotherrthe said friction shoes are caused'to progressively increase the friction: grip:i ipon`-.said axial member. f .n

l0. In a friction draft gear, the combination with a casing having an axially disposed member provided with friction surfaces, an-

other casing adapted to coact with-'said first named casing, friction shoes having portions fulcrnmed in a fixed manner in said second named casing and being provided with other portions adapted to frictionally engage the surfaces of theaxially disposed member', a wedging member having portions adapted to frictionallyengage portions of the said friction shoes, said wedging memf ber being adapted to contact said shoes be-V tween their fulcrum points and their por" tions engaging the friction surfaces' of said axially disposed-member, and means includv ing a spring operable between said wedg'ing member andthe casing provided with the vaxially disposed member.

ll. In a friction draft gear, the combinationfwith a @casing havingan'axially dismember provided With friction `sn`rfaces, anothercasingadapted to coact With Y frrstinamed casing,ffriction shoes liavf` 'inglportionsfixedly fulcrumed in said s ee-V o ondunamedveasing; and being provided with other:portionsgadapted to frictionally f engage..:the snrfavces of the airially disposed Y-fimembeigaiwedging ringiliaving vvedging ffacesfaadaptedll to `Contact the ,friction shoes,

saidfringjbeingf 'movable 'longitudinally f of theigearffor rocking the, friction shoes to-y Wa,rdfthe :axiallyl disposed ir1eiiiber`, and

LJ means including :a springV havingV one end operativelyvengaging. one face of the Wedg-V fing' ring@ and having its other end'contactv j ingbthe first 'named'casingl y12,1In4` affliction, draft gear, the'c'oinbinatosedA member provideds With friction surp Imeans including l a` vvedgefmember adapted toi-move-said ,friction shoesintocontact With i' y v 'friction shoes fnlcrnmedin said bearing porvthe friction surfaces provided von the axially. arranged member, a' spring interposed be- ,tw'een said wedgingi, member and the casing [carr-ying said:Va-Xiallyndisposed member, al

" `Yfollowermemberiprovided viiivsaid second f named casingfadapted to'bejengaged by saidV axially. disposed member Vafter a ,predetenw minedmovementofthe gear, andy a spring interposed. between "saidV lfolloiver member "and a -ofssaidsecond named casing. i 13. yil'friction shock vabsorbing mechanism oomprisi-ng eoactingcasings one of `which is formed' .with an y.axially disposedv extension :having:friction-,surfaces .and the other of which, isA provided with bearing portions,

` casings.-y

Vgrip between the shoes and tions and being'provided tions adapted to engage tliesaid friction s1irfaces V'on tlieaXial extension, a spring inter-1'V posed between the .firstfmentioned casing;

and the shoes, a follower member longitu` dinally movable :in one. ,of said y c'asings adapted to be engaged bythe laxial extension v y* after a predetermined `"inovement of thev one Wall of one Ofsaid c asings. K v Y, 14, 'A' friction shoclrabsorbin'g .mechanism involving` coactingicasingspan ,axially disi Y posed andfcentrally'locatedk extension prof vided `with frictionsurfaoes, said extension being .carried by one of the casii'igs,vrfriction a shoes ha-Vingiixed flilcriim .points located in .mechanism, and a supplemental spring arf] ranged between/said follower. member and lli" the other of said casing's, the. frictioiishoes being provided yWith portions adapted to *bei ;...Hj l moved radially inward tow-ard the ceiiteiof L Y,

, 65. yincluding .a spring Vinterposed betweengthe f o casing carrying thevaxial extensionand'tlie f the axial extension, and vcushioning'r means;

friction,shoes'fulorumedfin the other ofsaid w .iainpa' mit rigging, the @maritimnonV with a front follower member having an axial extension provided with friction surfaces, a rear follower member'provided With bearingportions, friction shoes liiedly ful-` crumedin said bearingportionsand having vfriction surfaces;adaptedV to'vcontact` the.

vaforesaid friction surfaces, vand cushioning means including a .springliaving one4 end contacting the front follower and the otherv end operable against the vfriction shoes. at points between .A their fulcrum and friction surfaces whereby movement-ofthe front and rear followers ineffect towardv each other, causes a progressively increasing ifrictiofnal posed extension.

In testimony'vvhereof I aiiiX my signature. f Y l WILLIAM A.-'MITCHELL. v

Said. axially da-; 85* 

